Contraband Arrests at Multiple State Prisons

As of 7/2010, we've made 1,184 contraband arrests

On June 9, at a traffic stop near Calhoun State Prison, Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputies noticed a suspicious vehicle. After conducting a search, cocaine was discovered inside of the vehicle. The driver confessed that she dropped visitor Mark Coker off at the facility to visit an offender. Calhoun Sheriff's Department contacted the facility. Corker’s visit was terminated and the offender was searched. Six bundles of an unknown substance weighing 99 grams were discovered. Both the driver of the vehicle and Coker were arrested and taken to Calhoun County Jail pending charges.

On June 10, the Portal Sergeant detected a strong odor of marijuana on Officer Zaquana Hampton upon entering Augusta State Medical Prison. A search was conducted and 333.5 grams of marijuana were discovered in two bundles wrapped in duct tape. Richmond County Sheriff's Office was contacted and Officer Hampton was placed under arrest and charged with Introduction of contraband beyond the guard line, trading with offenders, violation of oath of office, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. On this date, the Portal Sergeant also discovered the following contraband on Visitor Angela Hatcher's person, prior to entering the facility for visitation: 5 bundles of tobacco, marijuana and rolling paper. Hatcher was arrested by Richmond County Sheriff's Office and charged with introducing contraband into the guard line, trading with offenders, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

On June 11, at Dodge State Prison, a Sergeant observed Visitor Jacklyn Barnette pass an unknown object to an offender during visitation. The offender was searched and the following contraband was discovered in an unknown pocket: 04 latex balloons containing 0.6 grams of marijuana. Visitor Barnette was arrested by Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

On June 11, at Autry State Prison, the front gate officer noticed a bulge on visitor April Watson’s person. Watson consented to being searched, but then voluntarily removed four bundles of unknown contents from inside her clothing prior to the search. Watson was arrested by Mitchell County Sheriff's Department.